South Florida usually slathers itself with football optimism. High hopes are as much our preseason companion as the past 36 seasons a championship hasn't happened.

But there's a flat feel around the Dolphins heading into Sunday's opener. An erratic preseason has people talking them down before the first game. Too down, for once.

Sure, this past week punctuated it all. Jake Grove getting cut a year after you gave him $14.5 million? Star tackle Jake Long scaring everyone with a brief knee injury? Football czar Bill Parcells’ strange time to step down? Will Allen's release, Sean Smith's demotion?

No one from Sports Illustrated to ESPN to even Dan Marino is picking them to the playoffs. Or even finish above third in your division.

I'm sticking with 10-6.

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I see a better offense than the preseason. I see defensive coordinator Mike Nolan working enough magic.